Every week we invite our readers to tell us about where they go to watch films. This week it's the turn of Craig Williams – follow him on Twitter here.

Location

Conveniently situated on Holly Mount, just off Heath Street, the Everyman is less than a minute's walk from Hampstead station on the Northern line of the Underground.

Building

The building was originally opened as assembly rooms in the 19th century, and became a cinema in 1933. It is tremendously atmospheric and has plenty of character. There are two "screening lounges", the largest of which has three types of seats – standard seats (comfortable red sofas in the middle of the auditorium), club suites (larges leather sofas with foot rests) and gallery seats (leather armchairs on a mezzanine level). There are also two nicely decorated lounge areas outside both screens. Needless to say, it's easily the most luxurious cinema in London.

Clientele

Insert your Hampstead stereotype here. Having said that, the audience is extraordinarily well-behaved, and there is rarely a need for aggressive hushing.

Programme

The film programme is a real mixed bag – from first-run blockbuster behemoths to low-key arthouse releases, as well as the occasional classic. A number of the older local residents will remember the Everyman as a repertory cinema of high repute (apparently it was the place to see Jodorowsky and Lynch double bills back in the day), and occasionally despair at the more mainstream films currently on offer.

But to be fair, the programme is genuinely diverse. The second screen allows for interesting counterprogramming to the main screen, and will often play a small foreign language arthouse film while the other plays the current mainstream release. Additionally, the Everyman Belsize Park (a 15-minute walk down Haverstock Hill) tends to play something different from the Everyman Hampstead, so there's always plenty of choice in the area. Hampstead is an artistic and culturally rich community, which means that the arthouse and independent films are always very well attended.

The Everyman has satellite screenings of the Met Opera (which always sell out in advance) and the National theatre, as well as frequent Q&As with directors and actors.

Everyman cinema Hampstead Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Further comments

There are a number of factors that set the Everyman Hampstead apart from other London cinemas. You are handed a surprisingly extensive food and drinks menu on your way to the screen and are served in your seat. The waiting staff are very pleasant and helpful, and adept at navigating the rows with heavy trays in the dark.

Though not cheap, the standard ticket prices are comparatively reasonable. Two standard tickets are actually cheaper than in the soulless central London multiplexes, and you do get a lot more for your money. The sofas are very comfortable. Each one has pillows, a table and a wine cooler. There's also plenty of legroom. Though the more expensive seats are a lot bigger, you'd only really go for them if you were showing off to someone!

There's an excellent membership scheme, with various levels of membership. The standard London membership is £48 for the year and includes two free tickets, a £1 discount on tickets and money off food and drink. The unlimited membership offers excellent savings if you're a frequent visitor.

The Everyman Hampstead is as close to a perfect cinema as you can get – a diverse programme, luxurious surroundings and a respectful crowd.